Ohio's Policy Kitchen

As our state legislators broke for summer recess, they did good by aligning Ohio with dozens of other states that have extended services to foster kids until age 21.
House Bill 50 provides for housing, educational and other assistance for the more than 1,000 Ohioans a year who age out of the system at 18. The services until age 21 also apply to kids adopted after age 16.
In a powerful op-ed published last year, former Policy Matters research intern Brant Duda detailed the many risks faced by 18 year olds aging out of the foster system: Many go from foster care... read more

In guest appearances on public television and radio this past week, our director Amy Hanauer made the case for smart policies to help struggling families succeed and boost the economy.
Amy faced off with Greg Lawson... read more

We agree with Gov. John Kasich that expanding Medicaid health insurance to cover working-poor adults ultimately saves money (not to mention it improves health).
Evidence of the benefits continue to accumulate. A new study published today... read more

The footprint of the for-profit prison industry is growing ever larger, and a recent Washington Post article helps explain why. The two largest prison companies in the United States and their associates have funneled more... read more

A news story in The Cleveland Plain Dealer today calls attention to a report we released recently about a growing number of low-income working families, which includes a disproportionate share of minority families.
As low-wage jobs... read more